Everything that can be driven can attain speed. It follows that standards are set for vehicles and all their component parts. These standards are laid down in the Automotive Directive. This directive covers both the components already incorporated in the vehicle and the parts that are sold separately and fitted later. The Automotive Directive is an exceptional directive. It is not covered by the CE Mark system but has its own regime: the E mark. The approval of parts is identified with the letter E followed by a number (in the Netherlands that is number 4).
Who issues the e/E mark?
The e/E mark is issued by the body designated for that purpose by the government: the Notified Body. In the Netherlands that is the RDW Centre for Vehicle Technology and Information. The RDW makes use of technical services for the technical implementation of this mark system and to carry out the necessary tests. In the Netherlands those services include TÜV Rheinland EPS.
TÜV Rheinland EPS is officially designated by the RDW as a "Technical Service".
General
Vehicles and vehicle parts have to comply with standards required by national and international laws and regulations. A type approval certificate is issued as proof of such compliance.
A type approval certificate is issued:
- by an official approval authority (for the Netherlands: RDW, appointed by the Ministry of Transport);
- to a manufacturer of vehicles and/or vehicle parts;
- for a certain type of vehicle or vehicle part.
The approval process has two aspects:
1. Examination of the product.
An officially appointed technical service examines and tests the product for compliance with all statutory requirements. If the product passes the test, the manufacturer may apply for a certificate. RDW’s Certification Division examines the test report and test results for their compliance with the required standards. The standards for vehicles and vehicle parts are defined in:
The Voertuigreglement (Vehicle Regulation);
- Directive 70/156/EEC for European approvals for 4-wheel vehicles;
- Various ECE regulations and EEC directives for vehicle parts and systems;
- Directive 92/61/EEC for European approvals for 2 and 3-wheel vehicles.
2. Examination of the manufacturer for compliance with statutory requirements
Like the products, the manufacturer has to meet certain requirements. One such requirement is that the manufacturer is responsible for the conformity of all his products of a certain type with the product for which a type approval certificate has been issued. RDW’s Certification Division examines whether the manufacturer meets all requirements. The examination, called Conformity of Production (COP) audit, can be carried out on the manufacturer’s premises. The first
COP examination is called initial assessment. Without initial assessment no type approval certificate can be issued. For the type approval to remain valid, the COP then has to be repeated at certain intervals. The intervals vary, depending on certain factors, from one to three years. The requirements for manufacturers to comply with are defined in:
- The Ministerial regulation Application for and Supervision of Type Approvals for national approvals of vehicles (commercial vehicles and their trailers);
- Annex X of Directive 70/156/EEC for 4-wheel vehicles and their parts;
- Revised Agreement of 1958 ECE for ECE approvals of vehicle parts;
- Annex VI of Directive 92/61/EEC for European approvals of 2 and 3-wheel vehicles and their parts.
If both aspects are found to be in compliance, the approval certificate can be issued.
TÜV Rheinland EPS is officialy appointed as a "Technical Service".
Information
If you have any questions about type approval or COP audits, please contact TÜV Rheinland EPS.
